Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) today accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to lead a delegation to China next month, saying she hopes to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and bring stability to the Taiwan Strait.
“I am grateful and happy to accept this invitation,” Cheng said in a statement from the KMT chairperson’s office.
Cheng said she hopes both sides can work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, enhance exchange and cooperation, bring stability to the Taiwan Strait and improve people’s livelihoods.
Photo: CNA
At today's news conference, Cheng said any efforts to improve cross-strait relations during her upcoming visit must be based on the terms of the so-called "1992 consensus" and opposition to Taiwan independence.
The “1992 consensus” refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
In recent years, the Taiwan Strait has been described in the international media as one of the most dangerous places in the world, Cheng said, adding that she hopes her visit would help usher in "a mild and warm spring" in cross-strait relations.
She did not name the other members of the KMT delegation, saying that the invitation had only just been confirmed and many details must still be decided.
Cheng has expressed her desire to visit China multiple times since she assumed her position as KMT chair, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office Director Song Tao (宋濤) said today in a report from Chinese state media People’s Daily Online.
“CCP Secretary General Xi Jinping has invited Cheng to lead a KMT delegation to visit Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing from April 7 to 12,” Song said.
The invitation is to promote the peaceful development of CCP-KMT and cross-strait relations, he said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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